Chances are, your holiday will start – and finish
– with at least a couple of hours on the plane. Make
the most of air travel with our
guide to onboard health and how to avoid jet lag
. We'll help you fly more comfortably and avoid some
of the health risks.
Drink plenty of fluids
Air quality onboard is pretty poor generally, and in-flight
air humidity can be lower than that in the Sahara Desert! So
even on a short flight, you may experience dry eyes and
skin, and increased thirst as you dehydrate. Try to drink a
glass of bottled water for every hour you're flying.
And use a moisturiser on the skin – especially if
you're flying home with a suntan.
Take your old specs with you
Dry air means dry eyes, which can make contact lenses
uncomfortable. So get your old horn-rimmed spectacles out
just for the journey – however unfashionable you look
– and your eyes will feel much better. And even if you
don't wear glasses or contacts, eye-drops can help you
avoid itchy, sore eyes.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine
Both will dehydrate you quickly and can lead to headaches,
tiredness and irritability. And neither will help you relax.
If you really want to drink coffee or alcohol, do it
sensibly, especially on longer flights. Make sure you drink
plenty of bottled water, too – you'll feel much
better when you arrive.
Keep moving
Sitting in the same position for hours at high altitude
isn't great for your circulation, and can sometimes
lead to horrors such as Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and blood
clots. These conditions are rare, but even less likely if
you stay active. Wear loose clothes and shoes when you fly,
and try to keep the blood flowing, even if you just wiggle
your feet and take the odd stroll up and down the cabin when
it's safe to do so.
Fear of flying
There are plenty of simple relaxation techniques you can try
to ease your fear of flying. Circular breathing, focusing on
a book or a film, or talking to your travel partners will
all help. Drinking heavily or taking sedative medication
isn't the answer, and you'll feel even worse
when the effects wear off. If flying really bothers you, why
not speak to your doctor while planning your holiday?
Jet lag
Crossing time zones can really upset the body clock and
cause jet lag – which is worse when flying eastwards.
But you can prepare for it by slowly adjusting your eating
and sleeping routines before you set off, to get in sync
with where you're heading. And even if you're
really tired when you arrive, a walk and some fresh air will
help you adjust more quickly.
Find out more about air flight travel insurance.
